Feldman, Kleidman, Collins & Sappe LLP’s (FKC&S) Kathryn C. Collins and Steven H. Cohen recently obtained two $4 million settlements for clients within the span of two days.
In July 2020, construction began in the City of Newburgh, NY near Chambers and Third Streets due to numerous buildings being rehabilitated into affordable housing units. In November 2021, temporary chain link fencing panels were set up in the roadway by the general contractor. Unfortunately, one of the chain link panels was dangerously blocking a stop sign from sight at the intersection of Third Street and Chambers Street.
On November 27, 2021, at about 8:45 p.m., FKC&S’s 35-year-old client, who lived in Beacon and was studying to become a nurse, was driving on Third Street in Newburgh with her young children. It was dark given the time of day, and she was unfamiliar with the area in which she was driving. As she drove past the obscured stop sign through the Third Street and Chambers Street intersection, she was struck on the driver’s side of her vehicle by a car operating at a fast speed traveling on Chambers Street, where there is no stop sign. The impact was so forceful that it caused her car to skid and roll over. She suffered an aortic dissection leading to a stroke, which left her with unique and problematic changes to her speech pattern, unsteadiness and cognitive loss. Despite all of her injuries, FKC&S’s client eventually graduated from nursing school.
FKC&S filed a suit against the owners of the property, the general contractor and the City of Newburgh. After depositions it became clear that, in addition to the general contractor being responsible for placing the fence which blocked the stop sign, the City of Newburgh never performed any of the required inspections of the construction area, leading to the continuation of the dangerous condition.
FKC&S obtained a $4 million settlement for the client during mediation and, in the same week, quickly settled another legal matter for $4 million.
“We are thrilled to announce these remarkable outcomes, with two significant cases resolved in just two days, delivering $8 million in total settlements for our clients,” said Jeffrey M. Feldman, founding partner at FKC&S. “These successes are testaments to our team’s dedication, expertise and unwavering commitment to securing the justice and compensation our clients deserve.”
At FKC&S you can feel confident knowing that an experienced attorney will be with you every step of the way. Call 845-897-5199 or contact us for a free consultation today.